Photo Eliot Hess

Our roving photographer Eliot Hess takes us to the start of Miami Beach at beautiful South Pointe Park. The Miami art world will be gathering to see the opening of “The Universe Within” at the Mindy Solomon Gallery, located in the upcoming neighborhood of Allapattah. If you’re ready to finally get and roam, check out Sunday afternoons at The Lincoln Road Antique & Collectable Market. Here’s a unique evening. Learn more about climate change at a trivia night at the CLEO Institute. And if you’re feeling stressed and your life is out of balance, listen in to this week’s podcast about the ancient practice of Tao.

Mindy Makes Miami Matter

Miami is now considered a serious art city. It wasn’t always like that. It’s just the last few years that local galleries are getting national attention. One of the places in Miami that is leading the pack is the Mindy Solomon Gallery in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Allapattah.

Her website says, “Mindy Solomon Gallery specializes in contemporary emerging and mid-career artists and art advisory services. The gallery represents artists working in painting, sculpture, photography, and video in both narrative and non-objective styles. The gallery program explores the intersection of art and design through an ongoing dialog between two and three-dimensional objects, while embracing diasporic voices. Utilizing the gallery space as a platform for inventive exhibitions, museum visitations, and public lectures, Solomon invites a sense of community and aesthetic enrichment.”

The next big opening is February 19th, from 6 to 9pm. It’s one of those moments that the who’s who in the Miami art world will be gathering to see “The Universe Within,” featuring Anina Major, Lola Ogbara, Lydia C Thompson, Malene Barnett, Maya Beverly, Maya Vivas, Sana Musasama, Sharon Norwood, Shea Burke, Sydnie Jimenez.

Lydia C Thompson, Hostile Passing and Passing Over SB #2, 2021, Ceramic and wood, 19″ x 18″ x 10.5″

The Universe Within is not a definitive statement on who women-identifying and non-binary people of the Black diaspora are. Instead, it is a space that recognizes their limitless potential to be. Layered, dynamic, complex, nuanced, ever-evolving. A multitude of selves within the vessel of their bodies. Like our universe, mysterious and mystical, their interiority is rich and vast. This exhibition is a privileged glimpse into the wondrous multiformity within the spectrum of Black femininity and queerness.  Opening February 19 from 6—9 pm. Artists will be present. GET THE DETAILS.

LISTEN IN HERE.

Miami Beach Starts Here

Photos by Eliot Hess

The first time I saw South Pointe Park I thought to myself that I was one lucky lady. Located at the most southern tip of Miami Beach, the park starts right outside the front door of my condo. People from all over Miami drive great distances to walk the promenade that features stunning panoramic views of the South Beach shoreline, Port Miami cruise ships, downtown Miami’s skyline and Fisher Island.

The park is completely adjacent to the inlet from Biscayne Bay to the Atlantic Ocean. There are thousands of people who walk the entire walkway every day for their daily exercise. They start at the Miami Beach Marina and circle all the way to the ocean where they are able to enter a 450-foot pier that has viewing stations in various locations. Many folks meetup there to fish and watch kayakers, surfers and Jet Skiers. It’s quite spectacular.

The park has direct access to the beach as well as walking trails, picnic and barbecue areas, benches, a cafe and an off-leash bark park. One of the most important aspects of the park is that it child friendly. There is a mini water playground perfect for cooling off on a warm day, along with a jungle gym. For those who like to eat, drink and exercise, Smith & Wollensky steakhouse is located in the park as you walk to the ocean. Their outside dining is so picturesque that most visitors never want to leave. GET MORE DETAILS.

Calling Miami Tomatoes to NYC

GET THE DETAILS

Sundays At Lincoln Road

Photos by Eliot Hess

It’s been a long time since many of us have gone shopping. I’m not talking about clicking our way through Amazon. I am referring to the days when we actually went from store to store looking for things to buy. It was one of my favorite pastimes. For many years, during my 20s, window shopping was my Saturday night social life. We would go to the mall, get something to eat at the food court, and then roam around the stores fantasizing what we would buy if we had money.

Turn the clock forward a few decades and I long to do the same thing. This time I have some money. After being locked up in our homes for the last two years, I want to get out and roam around. Miami Beach has just the thing. Instead of Saturday nights, it’s Sunday afternoon at The Lincoln Road Antique & Collectable Market.

Photos by Eliot Hess

The Lincoln Road website said the market is probably one of the most interesting flea markets in the US, offering a huge variety of high quality items. Everyone I know says it’s a must see if you happen to be in Miami Beach. Visitors are going to be pleasantly surprised. Those who really know the value of antique home furnishings, fashion and jewelry can sift through the merchandise and find real gems. Friends of mine have done that and claim the treasures that they found were worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. For the rest of us novices, the market offers all kinds of affordable goods like fake furs, sunglasses, hats, photos, paintings, flowers, caftans, costume jewelry, vases, everything imaginable.

Photos by Eliot Hess

The Lincoln Road Antique & Collectable Market takes place a few times a month from October to May. It is located in the public spaces from Michigan to Lenox Avenues with about 125 dealers

Feb. 17. Trivia Night

If you are interested in learning more about climate change and want to do something very different, you should attend the CLEO Institute for a night of trivia. Here is a chance to meet some of the most interesting people in the Coconut Grove area of Miami. FEBRUARY 17 AT 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.  The CLEO Institute is an organization dedicated to teaching everyone about the climate crisis and what to do about it. It was founded in 2010. The event is going to take place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which is one of the most beautiful estates you will ever see. In line with the environmental theme, the program will take place outdoors in Vizcaya’s East Terrace, with stunning views of Biscayne Bay.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, previously known as Villa Vizcaya, was the former home of businessman James Deering, of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove.  The early 20th century Vizcaya estate features extensive Italian Renaissance gardens; native woodland landscape; and a historic village outbuildings compound.

The CLEO Institute describes the night as serious fun through questions about science, social justice and pop culture in an evening of pub-style trivia. They want you to bring  your friends, play solo, or assemble your own team from new acquaintances. The game is comprised of three rounds and the winning team takes the prize of Vizcaya swag and memberships! Pre-order your discounted beer/wine tickets for $5 each. Additional refreshments will be available for purchase on-site throughout the evening.

GET THE BOOK.